Best fiction and nonfiction books, novels and memoirs that take place primarily in the city of hong kong. The region of hong kong has been inhabited since the old stone age, later becoming part of. Hong kong s first elections under chinese rule, in 1998, allowed for onethird of the 60member legislature to be elected by direct popular vote, with the democrats hong kong s largest party winning the most seats although full suffrage, with a fully elected legislature and chief executive, is declared a goal in the basic law, it has no. It was socalled blockade of hong kong by the hong kong government. Hong kong hong kong, mandarin xianggang, special administrative region of china, formerly a british crown colony 2015 est. It consists of hong kong island, originally ceded by china to. A modern history of hong kong is clearly written and easily read. Discover the best hong kong history in best sellers. Tick off the citys top attractions in half a day on this convenient and comprehensive sightseeing tour, which includes stops at victoria peak, stanley market and the traditional fishing village of aberdeen. Now explore hong kong s rich history and colourful characters through these 10 books that everyone should read about hong kong, set in hong kong. Take a 360degree flying tour through hong kong s history from possession to handover and beyond.
Behind these street names, it is not difficult for us to explore the connected historical stories. Starstreet precinct wan chai tweet the area around three pacific place and comprising star street, moon street, sun street and wing fung street used to be home to hong kong electrics first power plant but is now a fashionable dining neighbourhood with designdriven lifestyle stores. Store owner urusla huber, is passionate about sharing books as a way to captivate the imagination and take readers on an adventure and spirit of discovery. Tsang offers a mix of narrative and analysis, and covers social and economic history as well as politics. Hong kong was a british possession for decades until it rejoined china in 1997. The qing dynasty ceded hong kong to the british empire in 1842 through the treaty of nanjing, ending the first opium war. Melding chinese and western influences, hong kong has long defied easy categorization. If you want to learn more about hong kongs history and culture, these books. Pick the best books set in hong kong for your trip. The hilly area of the streets was the earliest burial ground assigned by the hong kong government in 1841 for the nonchinese population. Top 10 books set in hong kong hong kongs intoxicating mix has been colourfully captured by authors from paul theroux to jan morris.
Hong kong, ore more precisely the hong kong special administrative region hksar, is located at the south coast of china near the pearl river delta which helped make it become the center of business and center it is now. Starting out as a farming fishing village and salt production site, it became an important free port and eventually a major international financial centre the qing dynasty ceded hong kong to the british empire in 1842. An economic and social history 2003 eitel, ernest john 1895. The second floor is dedicated to kids stuff and academic textbooks, but theres also a sizeable section dedicated to hong kongrelated history downstairs. Take a 360degree flying tour through hong kongs history from possession to handover and beyond. Feb 10, 2019 the eslite bookstore is currently the biggest bookstore in hong kong. The store offers a wide range of childrens books including those by local hong kong authors. He is the photographer and author of various books on australian history and exploration, and on hong kongs heritage and. Welcome to the website of the hong kong history project. Feb 05, 2014 an excellent documentary about hong kong s fascinating history right before hong kong s 1997 return to chinese sovereignty.
The approach seems balanced, and it is obvious when in a few places tsang takes positions which he realises are disputed. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Britain also won the second opium war, forcing the qing empire to cede kowloon in 1860, while leasing the new territories for 99 years from 1898. See their past imports from guangdong textiles imp. Tick off the citys top attractions in half a day on this convenient and comprehensive sightseeing tour, which includes stops at victoria peak, stanley. Hong kong public libraries hong kong history behind the. Once a british colonial outpost, the worldclass city of hong kong is now one of asias most popular destinations. Every city has street names that reveal a thing or two about the places history, and hong kong is no exception. Signs of a colonial era hong kong university press. Over the last century, as history witnessed the development of hong kong, the tram remains a nostalgic mode of public transport to uncover the heritage past and exciting new vibes of the city along it tracks. The region is bordered by guangdong province to the north and the south china sea to the east, south, and west. Hong kong, special administrative region of china, located to the east of the pearl river estuary on the south coast of china. Weve dug up a little history to explain how these street names came to be. Bleak house books, unit 2705, 27f, well tech centre, 9 pat tat street, san po kong, kowloon, hong kong, 3705 0251, hk editors note.
The film was produced by elaine forsgate marden and directed by libby. Score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Hong kongs first elections under chinese rule, in 1998, allowed for onethird of the 60member legislature to be elected by direct popular vote, with the democrats hong kongs largest party winning the most seats although full suffrage, with a fully elected legislature and chief executive, is declared a goal in the basic law, it has no. At elephant grounds, a hip cafe with herringbone wood floors in a little corner of hong kong known as the star street precinct, i sat on a barside stool. Learn more about the fragrant harbours history and culture through different voices and stories, both real and imagined, by reading our literary picks, which include a wide range from classics to. History of hong kongabout this book wikibooks, open books. There was a big mess in the first few weeks after opening as there were too many visitors. History of hong kongbibliography wikibooks, open books. History of hong kongabout this book wikibooks, open. The timeline starts at the areas earliest recorded mention through to world war two, taking in the major moments in hong kong history.
In this environment, hong kongs chinese population, more than 95 percent of the former colonys residents, has developed a distinctive culture. The book explores hong kong as a place with a unique identity, yet also a crossroads where chinese history, british colonial history, and world history intersect. The first thing you will see when you walk into the hong kong museum of history is a few old rocks. Carroll concludes by exploring the legacies of colonial rule, the consequences of hong kong s reintegration with china, and significant developments and challenges since 1997. Starstreet precinct wan chai hong kong tourism board. When the british occupied the tiny island of hong kong during the first opium war, the chinese empire was well into its decline, while great britain was already in the second decade of its legendary imperial century. Many roads on the hong kong island conform to the contours of the hill landscape. Hk writers the 5 best books about hong kong page traveller. They look neat, sure, but they are not our focus here. In this book, he takes the reader on fifty tours through the urban and historic places of.
The region comprises hong kong island, ceded by china in 1842. Fiction or nonfiction they should transport the reader to an era during hong kongs development to help us understand the islands fascinating history. And, as you explore the citys colourful heritage, youll discover stories of powerful clans, marauding pirates and european traders. Some of the roads on the north side of hong kong island and southern kowloon have a grid like pattern. The retail outlets are strategically located in prime business and residential districts. Rather apologetic on the british side, but if youve read plenty of other books condemning the opium wars, this is an impressive, thorough history that provides a bit of balance but read with a pinch of salt. The viceroy of guangdong and guangxi, ordered four customs stations to be established in waterways surrounding hong kong and kowloon at fat tong chau, ma wan, cheung chau and kowloon walled city.
The best nonfiction books about hong kong you should read. Historical hong kong this is a list of historical novels, memoirs and nonfiction books set primarily in hong kong throughout the centuries to present day. The history of hongkong from the beginning to the year 1882. The bookworms guide to hong kong the art worlds eyes are on the citystate for art basel hong kong but how is the former colony portrayed in literature. It is a vibrant cultural and financial center of chinese society. Here are 10 city street names with interesting stories behind them. Hong kong book centre 25 des voeux road, on lok yuen building lower level, central, hong kong rated 2. The project, hosted at the university of bristol, and funded by the hatton trust, aims to encourage and facilitate the study of the history of hong kong in the uk, and to build collaborations with partners in hong kong, specifically in terms of collaboration between the university of bristol and the university of hong kong, as well as. Over a hundred antique shops line hollywood road, selling everything from ming vases to han dynasty war horse potteries. History of hong kong news newspapers books scholar jstor august 2019 learn how and when to remove this template message. History of hong kong lonely planet travel information. In the mid19th century, most of the streets are named after the personages in hong kong. It connects johnston road in the north to queens road east in. Malcolm burgess, publisher of the citylit series, selects his.
This book is about the history of hong kong, from the earliest time that hong kong apepeople were known to exist which is about 4000bc. In recent years, street names are mostly related to local features and auspicious words. If youre looking to get to grips with hong kong s rollercoaster history, tsangs documenting of opium smugglers, pirates and colonial mandarins is a definitive and thoroughly engaging account of the citys history from the opium wars to the handover. In 1890, star street became the site of hongkong electrics wan chai power plant, the first electricity generating station in hong kong. Markets are the cornerstone of hong kong s history and present day identity, so its only appropriate that this hong kong city tour begins with an exploration of some of the citys oldest and most unique markets the foundation of hong kong s traditional trade and fishing harbour industry, markets are an excellent way to identify with hong kong s humble, hardworking past, as we. Ancient history remnants of burial grounds and early rock carvings show human life in hong kong as far back as the stone age. Hong kongs most famous taoist temple exemplifies the architecture of a traditional chinese temple, and is a popular place of worship for those with. As one of the worlds great cities, hong kong has many faces. The hong kong story history of hong kong 1841 to 1997.
He is the photographer and author of various books on australian history and exploration, and on hong kong s heritage and landscape. The evolution of hong kong history from colony to powerhouse. History in the very long scale of history, hong kong as we know it today has existed for a mere blink of an eye. It was stunning inside with statues, chinese traditional buildings, traditional bridges, waterfall, mini lakes, bonsai trees and koi fish everything you think when you think hong kong. Jul 04, 2012 top 10 books set in hong kong hong kong s intoxicating mix has been colourfully captured by authors from paul theroux to jan morris. Jul 10, 2018 explore hong kong s fascinating history through this quick and easy guide to the best books about hong kong, from romantic novels, to informative works of nonfiction, to my favourite hk writers. Streets exploring hong kong island hong kong university press.
Hong kongs transport department is responsible for management of road traffic, regulation of public transport services and operation of major transport infrastructures, while highways department is responsible for planning, design, construction and maintenance of the public road system. Hong kong s transport department is responsible for management of road traffic, regulation of public transport services and operation of major transport infrastructures, while highways department is responsible for planning, design, construction and maintenance of the public road system. Growing from a fishing village to a bustling colonial trading port and one of asias most powerful financial centres, hong kong has a colourful history and complex. Aug 15, 2007 this history of hong kong from its occupation by the british in 1841 to its return to chinese sovereignty in 1997 includes the foundation of modern hong kong. Exploring hong kong island is the only cultural and historical guidebook to the city available in english.
He grew up in hong kong and returned there in 1993. In the street names of hong kong, a rich history of the city can be found. Edward stokes, an awardwinning photographer and writer, was born in australia. Hong kong august 1997 library of congress information. The eslite bookstore is currently the biggest bookstore in hong kong. As is often the case with former british colonies, many hong kong streets are named after former governors or english dignitaries. Nstar global services get a complete importer history. Social movements and political reform in hong kong, westport. Since 1904, trams have been running from east to west of hong kong island. Stokes previous works have all been keenly received. This history of hong kong from its occupation by the british in 1841 to its return to chinese sovereignty in 1997 includes the foundation of modern hong kong. The territory is thought to have come into the fold of the chinese. Starstreet precinct hong kong 2020 all you need to.
As we venture further into hong kong s market history, we visit cat street, originally home to the citys black market, now an openair curio market. From a littleknown fishing community at the periphery of china, hong kong developed into one of the worlds most spectacular and cosmopolitan metropoles after a century and a half of british imperial rule. From this collision of empires arose a city that continues to intrigue observers. This post was originally published on 2, july 2014 and was most recently updated on 11, september 2019 by jessica wai.
However, the history of the more than 1,100 square kilometres that hong kong now occupies predates the events of the qing dynasty by more than a thousand years. Events like the 1967 riot filled the streets with homemade bombs and chaos. List of books and articles about hong kong politics and. The roads and highways are generally designed to british standards. Hong kong s role in modern chinese history kai cheong fok. This was removed in 1889 and replaced by residential buildings for local chinese. But there was a lot going on in the region before that wintry morning in 1841 when a contingent of british marines clambered ashore and planted the union flag on the western part of hong kong island, claiming it for the british crown.
You all know that here at sassy we love every little bit of the incredible city that we live in, so to pay a little homage this festive season, weve rounded up a few hong kong books which highlight some of the best bits of the 852. Starstreet precinct hong kong 2020 all you need to know. Hong kong history project rethinking a citys history. The top ten books set in hong kong time out hong kong. The region of hong kong has been inhabited since the old stone age, later becoming part of the chinese empire with its loose incorporation into the qin dynasty 221206 bc. Nov 08, 2019 the second floor is dedicated to kids stuff and academic textbooks, but theres also a sizeable section dedicated to hong kongrelated history downstairs. An excellent documentary about hong kongs fascinating history right before hong kongs 1997 return to chinese sovereignty. May 09, 2016 from street names like wan king path to rednaxela terrace, hong kongs teeming with quirky misnomers. Us customs records notifications available for nstar global services. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The authors, in this illustrated book, explore that history as they explain the origins and.
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